Episode 8
[Passive Skill: Healing Factor activated.]
[Passive Skill: Infinite Stamina activated.]
A warm sensation spread through Zeke’s body.
“Huh? Why do I suddenly feel so refreshed?”
The fatigue that had been weighing him down vanished in an instant.
It was the same invigorating feeling he used to get whenever he used healing magic in the past.
Zeke moved his body around, testing his newfound energy.
“What is this?”
He checked the information on his skills, which had now transformed into passive abilities.
―Passive Skill Descriptions―
Healing Factor: Automatically heals physical injuries. (Always active)
Steadfast Mental Defense: Protects against all external status effects and maintains mental tranquility. (Always active)
Infinite Stamina: Instantly recovers from fatigue with limitless stamina. (Always active)
Combat Sense: Heightens danger awareness and increases cognitive speed during battle. (Always active)
Zeke’s jaw dropped as he read through the skill descriptions.
“Unbelievable.”
Not only had his skills from when he was a healer been enhanced, but they were now always active.
He was particularly intrigued by the Healing Factor.
“Automatic healing? This is basically unlimited healing.”
In his previous life, he had tried to achieve a similar effect with healing magic but had failed.
The cooldown between healing spells was too long, and it was difficult to completely heal all wounds with magic alone.
Zeke decided to test the Healing Factor.
He pulled out a dagger he had tucked away.
“Here goes.”
Gripping the sharp blade, he sliced his palm.
Blood trickled down from the cut.
Zeke tilted his head, puzzled as he watched the blood drip.
“Huh? Why isn’t the skill activating when I injure myself?”
As he pressed on the wound to stop the bleeding, he noticed something strange.
“What the…?”
There was no trace of the cut. It was as if it had never been there.
[Skill: Healing Factor activated.]
The system notification couldn’t keep up with the speed of his wound’s recovery.
Zeke decided to make a larger cut.
He drew the blade along his forearm.
The skin split open, but almost immediately, the wound closed up and returned to normal.
“This is insane… What kind of overpowered ability is this?”
Having lived a rough life in his past, Zeke fully understood just how extraordinary his new abilities were.
He finally grasped the meaning behind the name of his class.
“Immortal.”
It was a perfect fit for his abilities.
Zeke stood up.
He picked up the claymore he had set aside and muttered to himself.
“With this kind of power, I can move my plans forward by about three years.”
His eyes gleamed with determination.
At the academy, students could graduate after passing an exam five years post-admission.
However, those with exceptional abilities could apply for early graduation.
Zeke swung the claymore with a grin.
“That academy? I’ll graduate in two years.”
Unlike the Dragon’s Nest, which was nestled within a dragon’s lair, the academy was located in the heart of the Troy Duchy’s capital.
Famed for its dragon-slaying legends, the Troy Duchy was situated in the western continent and was the domain of the Draker family.
The Draker Academy, founded by the family’s ancestor, Terracan Draker, was the continent’s premier knight school, boasting a long-standing tradition.
Not just anyone could enter the Draker Academy.
Only those with a direct bloodline to the Draker family, their vassals, or those with special recommendations could gain admission.
The academy was so prestigious that influential figures from across the continent were willing to pay a fortune to send their children there. Although the Troy Duchy itself was small, the capital, where the academy was located, was as bustling as an imperial capital.
The capital was particularly lively in February, when the new academic year at the Draker Academy began.
Thud, thud, thud!
On the first day of the new term, carriages carrying students from all over the continent converged on the academy.
The central plaza of the academy was filled with new students and upperclassmen alike.
They wore black uniforms modeled after the Draker family attire, and the upperclassmen were as physically developed as adults.
“They’re coming.”
Rumble, rumble!
At someone’s cue, a line of black carriages entered the academy.
The gathered students watched the black carriages with tense expressions.
The carriages bore the dragon-slaying emblem.
They carried new students from the Nest.
The black carriages lined up and stopped at one side of the central plaza.
One by one, the new students from the Nest disembarked.
Both the upperclassmen and new students at the academy watched them with apprehension.
The Nest graduates, having undergone rigorous training from a young age, were on a different level from regular students.
They had direct or indirect ties to the Draker family and had all awakened their auras through a blessing ceremony.
Their starting point was different from the outset.
To emphasize this, the Nest graduates wore ceremonial attire adorned with the dragon-slaying emblem, unlike the regular students.
Those who had entered the academy from outside looked at them with awe.
Among them, Reyna Turn, now able to use the Draker name, made her appearance.
Thud!
As Reyna stepped out of the carriage, dozens of students from the Turn family, who had been waiting at one side of the plaza, approached her and knelt.
“Greetings, Reyna Draker!”
They emphasized the Draker name with particular reverence.
Reyna nodded slightly as she looked down at them.
The Turn family students stood up, straightened their backs, and followed behind Reyna.
She led the group of students into the academy building.
Students like Jaken Valdek, Leon Conrad, and Owen Siemens from influential families already had their factions established within the school even before enrollment.
At that moment, the door of the last carriage opened.
All eyes in the plaza turned toward it.
The person who emerged was none other than Zeke Draker.
The youngest son of the head of the Draker family, Arthur Draker, and rumored to be a pureblooded awakener, his reputation had already spread throughout the academy.
Surprisingly, Zeke Draker was not wearing the family ceremonial attire.
He was dressed in casual clothes, with a massive claymore slung over his shoulder, as he surveyed the academy plaza.
“Whew… How long has it been since I was last here?”
In his past life, he had been expelled from the academy at fifteen and had wandered the continent.
Seeing the familiar academy buildings brought back painful memories.
With the claymore on his shoulder, Zeke casually crossed the plaza.
For newcomers, the academy was vast and maze-like, but not for Zeke.
He skillfully navigated his way to his assigned dormitory.
“Hmm. Being a pureblooded awakener has its perks. I never thought I’d get a platinum floor.”
Pureblooded awakeners were granted an entire floor of a luxury mansion during their time at the academy.
The floor master received a personal maid and servant, a private training room, relaxation areas, a swimming pool, a sauna, a library, and various other benefits.
Zeke headed toward the platinum mansion, a high-end dormitory.
The mansion’s opulent exterior and the disciplined staff exuded an air of sophistication, reminiscent of a five-star hotel in Midland or the Dortha Republic.
It was a place he could never have imagined using when he stayed in a shared dormitory in his past life.
As he approached the mansion, one of the staff members came forward.
“Welcome, Zeke Draker. We’ve been expecting you.”
Following the staff member’s guidance, Zeke entered the mansion.
He stepped into a magically operated elevator.
“Please wear gloves, as there may be issues with the elevator due to your pureblood awakening.”
Zeke nodded, and the staff member activated the elevator.
His assigned floor was the fourth.
Ding!
As the elevator doors opened, the attendants and maids managing the fourth floor lined up and greeted Zeke.
“Welcome, Master!”
Zeke was taken aback by the scene, something he had never experienced in his past life, but he tried to act nonchalant.
An elderly butler approached Zeke and bowed respectfully.
“It is an honor to serve you, Master Zeke. If you wish, I can guide you on how to use the platinum floor.”
Zeke waved his hand dismissively.
“Thanks, but the tour can wait. Where are my belongings?”
“Your belongings have been arranged in your room, Master Zeke.”
“Show me to my room.”
Following the butler, Zeke entered his room.
The entire floor was his, spanning what seemed like hundreds of square meters.
As the butler opened the door, a scene akin to a luxury hotel room unfolded before him.
“Wow…”
It was a testament to the Draker family’s commitment to investing in talented individuals.
“If you need anything, please ring the bell at any time, Master Zeke.”
As the butler was about to leave, Zeke asked.
“Where’s Decker?”
“Decker is at the academy’s administration office handling your enrollment, Master Zeke.”
“Let him know to come see me when he returns.”
“Understood.”
Once the butler left, Zeke took a leisurely look around the room, which was as spacious as a training hall.
“I could actually train here.”
He muttered to himself as he walked over to a corner of the room and opened a wardrobe made of walnut wood. Inside were several uniforms tailored perfectly to his size.
Zeke clicked his tongue in amazement.
“Are they swimming in money or just plain crazy?” Zeke muttered, shaking his head at the opulence surrounding him.
Before he could fully take in the room, Decker returned, holding a small box adorned with the emblem of dragon slayers.
Zeke immediately recognized what it was. “Gloves?”
“Yes, sir. Please, open it.”
Zeke lifted the lid to reveal a pair of black gloves, marked with the Draker family crest.
“Dragon leather gloves, huh.”
To block magical interference, the leather had been alchemically treated. As the foremost dragon-slaying family, the Drakers possessed the most dragon-related items on the continent.
He slipped off his temporary gloves and donned the new ones. Despite their initial appearance, they fit like a second skin.
Zeke flexed his fingers, testing the fit. “They’re light. Incredibly soft. It’s like I’m not wearing anything at all.”
Unlike the heavy, cumbersome temporary gloves, these were remarkably comfortable.
Decker closed the box and set it aside. “As a pureblood, you’ll need to wear them at all times.”
Though Zeke’s magic-repelling nature had been adjusted, transforming into a magic-reflecting skill, the pureblood gloves offered numerous benefits on their own.
Decker turned to Zeke. “So, what brings you to me today?”
Zeke picked up the claymore resting beside him. “I need a new one of these.”
He could continue using the claymore he brought from the cradle, but it was a practice weapon with its limitations. The Duchy of Troy was known for its quality iron and skilled craftsmen, making it the go-to place for academy students to get their first real weapons.
Decker nodded. “Understood. I’ll find a suitable craftsman.”
But Zeke shook his head. “No need. I’ve already found one.”
He handed Decker a slip of paper from his pocket. “Make an appointment with this person. I want to go myself.”
Decker glanced at the note, puzzled. “Is this craftsman so renowned that you need to visit personally? The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Not famous yet. It’s hard to explain, but just set up the appointment.”
Though perplexed, Decker nodded. “Very well. I’ll inform you once it’s arranged. Also, classes start tomorrow. I’ve left the enrollment materials on your desk. Please review them.”
Zeke clicked his tongue. “Always nagging. Fine, I’ll eat and then train. Book a training room for me.”
Decker adjusted his monocle. “Have you forgotten where you are, sir?”
“Huh? Oh, right. Platinum Floor… and it comes with a private training room.”
Zeke nodded, satisfied. “A private room means I can practice dragon skills more freely.”
Just then, a knock interrupted them. Decker opened the door to find the steward.
“Zeke, a message from another floor master.”
“A message? From whom?”
The steward handed Zeke a note. “From Lady Reina Draker, the master of the sixth floor.”